What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 32
“This is the place. It’s a restaurant catering to nobles, so you can have a private room and enjoy your meal without worrying about prying eyes.”
As Temisian had assured, the meal was delicious. Whether the warmth she felt came from the food or the couple’s peaceful atmosphere, Ysaris couldn’t tell.
Any enjoyable time seemed to pass too quickly. Even Ysaris, who usually had a small appetite and was now suffering from morning sickness, managed to savor her dessert, but it was already time to leave the restaurant.
As Ysaris, feeling reluctant, kept glancing back while exiting the door Temisian held open for her, Penesir gently suggested,
“I feel so full that if I get back into the carriage now, I might get nauseous. How about a short walk to help with digestion?”
“I was only permitted lunch, my lady.”
“This is still part of lunch, isn’t it? We’re not going far, just a brief stroll around here. I’m sure His Majesty would understand.”
It was too tempting a suggestion to refuse. Ysaris hesitated but eventually accepted Penesir’s suggestion and walked along the shops. She pulled her robe over her head to hide her identity.
“What is this?”
“Oh, you have a discerning eye, ma’am! This is a newly released magical device. If you press this here, it stores the view in front of you…”
The market in Uzephia, where magic and alchemy had developed, had a unique atmosphere. Beyond common goods and food, magical items, rarely seen in other countries, were traded here. Most were very expensive, far beyond the reach of commoners.
“Is there anything you like?”
“Not particularly, but it’s fascinating. Perhaps one day I’ll buy something from here.”
“If you need, I can lend you money.”
“I appreciate the offer, Duke, but I’ve already received more than enough kindness from you.”
Ysaris was about to suggest they head back when a certain sales pitch caught her eye.
“A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Experience the Sage’s Eye, which sees through all worldly matters, for only 1 gold coin!”
The man shouted, drawing the curiosity of a few onlookers, as he fixed a large crystal ball on a low table.
“What exactly is this Sage’s Eye that you charge 1 gold just to experience?”
“It shows the user what they most want to know, in real-time!”
“That sounds like a scam.”
“How could you say that! This is a magical device I borrowed with great difficulty. This moment is the only chance to experience it. It’s essentially a one-time opportunity for each person!”
Ysaris fiddled with the coins in her robe pocket. 1 gold and 18 silver. It was the money she had taken from Mikelun just in case, and it remained untouched.
1 gold was the monthly living cost for an average family of four, so it wasn’t a cheap price. However, it was money she wouldn’t use otherwise, and she wanted to invest it in satisfying her curiosity.
She didn’t have anything specific she wanted to know. Rather, she wanted to find out what she was most curious about at this moment.
Lately, she lacked motivation or desire for any specific goal.
“It seems like a newly introduced magical device. It looks rare; why don’t you give it a try?”
“Do you not know about this, Duke?”
“Haha, I do have connections with wizards, but… I don’t know everything.”
Nodding at his sheepish answer, Ysaris took out 1 gold from her robe.
“Alright, I’ll give it a try.”
“May you see what you desire.”
Leaving him behind, Ysaris stepped forward. At that moment, the first challenger was trying out the Sage’s Eye.
While the crystal ball appeared unchanged to others, the user must have seen something different, as the man suddenly fell backward in shock.
“I-Is this real? Is this really real?”
The man, extremely unsettled by what he saw, hurriedly left while looking around anxiously. As the onlookers murmured in confusion, Ysaris stepped up for her turn.
“Payment first, customer!”
“Here you go.”
“Thank you! Just place your hand on the crystal ball and wait for five seconds.”
Ysaris followed the man’s instructions. At first, the crystal ball showed no change, but soon it began to display a misty scene.
<It’s already been a year… Her Majesty…>
<I thought I… would have… informed you.>
“…!”
Ysaris almost pulled her hand back in shock. She glanced around to see if anyone else had heard, but the faces watching her showed no sign of anything unusual.
To think it could penetrate even the magical immunity barriers of the palace.
Surprised by the strength of the magic, she swallowed dryly and refocused on the crystal ball. The image within began to take shape, showing the emperor and the chancellor having a conversation in the office.
<But Her Majesty… difficult…>
<So… didn’t…>
<Your Majesty… aware of the Empress… but… an opportunity…>
The sound was faint and unstable, crackling as if the magic was faltering.
All Ysaris could discern was that they were talking about her.
Then, at a certain moment,
<It might be better to kill her right now than to see her produce an heir.>
Kazhan’s face, filled with contempt, came into sharp focus.
